Hussein, a member of the AP team that won a Pulitzer Prize for photography in 2005, was held on suspicion of links with Iraqi insurgents. His detention drew protests from rights groups and press freedom advocates.

“I cannot describe my happiness at seeing him again,” said his brother, Yassir Hussein, a 35-year-old university professor in Baghdad. “The family has been going through a hard time over the past two years, but now we thank God that we will have some rest.”